The Scarecrow Sculpture Contest Is Back

By Susan Coney

One of the most cherished and enjoyable of Newtown Middle School traditions is back after a two-year absence. The fall scarecrow sculpture contest will be held once again on the front lawn of the middle school from Saturday, October 22, through Sunday, October 30.

More than 60 eighth grade students showed up after school last Wednesday to find out more information about the contest. Clearly a community favorite, it was evident by the large turnout of students interested in participating in the contest that the event has been greatly missed.

The contest, available only to eighth graders, is a collaborative effort between the art enrichment program run by Claudia Mitchell and Arlene Spoonfeather and the GATES (Gifted And Talented Educational Services) program headed by Patrice Gans.

Retired teacher for the gifted program, John Vouros, was on hand to kickoff the contest by giving the students a motivational pep talk on how to broaden their knowledge and “think outside of the box” for the project. He stressed the importance of asking permission before using materials that belong to family members; emphasizing the need to ask before taking. Mr Vouros encouraged the children to be resourceful and creative in the construction of the scarecrow by reinventing and recycling materials.

After years of experience in assisting students with this particular project, Mr Vouros gave some important tips such as: don’t construct a huge scarecrow in the basement with no way of getting it out and keep in mind the structure needs to be transported to the front lawn of the school and left out on display in all types of weather.

The objectives of the contest are for the students to determine the purpose of a scarecrow, and to construct a larger than life scarecrow centering on a theme. The students should work in groups of no more than four and brainstorm collectively on how to construct the project by using different materials in resourceful and artistic ways. Students are cautioned to spend no more then $15 on materials and to concentrate their efforts on using everyday materials in fashioning the scarecrow.

Stipulations of the project state that the scarecrow must be visible in a “drive-by” fashion, and that no blood, gore, or violence is permitted. Scarecrows may be battery powered, but no electricity is available.

The scarecrows will be judged according to categories such as science fiction, robotic, hero or heroine (characters from books, art, etc), organic (where all of the materials come from sources that were once alive), and synthetic (all manufactured materials).

Ribbons will be awarded to the first, second, and third place winners. Winners will be selected by public judging with a ballot process. Anyone who wants to vote may do so by filling out a ballet and submitting it with $1 to Ms Gans or by depositing it in the box at The Newtown Bee office. All funds will be donated to the charity of choice determined by the winners.